The complainant and two friends were all wearing shorts because of the hot weather, but were denied entry to the nightspot because one was wearing flip-flops and may have been at risk from broken glass, the court has heard.

ON TRIAL: Jack Rabbit Slims doorman Steven Goddard

Prosecutors say neither the complainant nor his friends were confrontational or threatening "in any way", and did not want to enter the bar at the time as they had already been turned away and were retracing their steps to go somewhere else.

But Syam Soni, defending, said to the complainant in cross-examination: "What happened was this - that you and your friends wanted to enter. You were told you could not enter and you became verbally abusive, didn't you?"

"No," said the man.

"You became aggressive," Mr Soni said.

"Definitely not," said the man.

Mr Soni said: "You weren't allowed in and you wanted to get in; it's not going to make you happy, is it?"

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He told the court he was "merry" but not drunk after drinking three pints of Fosters lager, and two bottles of Corona lager in about three and a half hours.

The three friends said after failing to get into the bar they headed for Napoleons Casino, but fearing they would not get in there either went back past Jack Rabbit Slims on their way to the Plimsoll pub, where they had been earlier.

Earlier, the complainant said two doormen had been close to him when he was punched, and he turned to see one walking away after he had been injured.

Asked to describe him by Dale Brook, prosecuting, he said: "Hair on top and shaved bald round the sides. Maybe about 5ft 10ins, 5 ft 11ins in height, and of stocky build."

Mr Soni asked him: "You said also you saw the defendant walking back to the doorway. Is that immediately after the punch?"